MENISCIUM. 



453 



the margin ; the barren ones are 6in. to 9in. long and 2in. to Sin. broad, 

 the fertile ones are smaller, and both are of a somewhat leathery texture 

 and dull green colour. The reddish sori (spore masses), disposed eight to 

 twelve between the midrib and the edge, frequently become confluent and 

 completely cover the under-surface of the fertile fronds. — Eooler^ Species 

 Filicum, v., p. 162 ; Filices Exoticce, t. 83. Nicholson, Dictionary of 

 Gardening, ii., p. 352. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, ii., t. 41. 



This species is well adapted for growing in a Fern-case, where it thrives 

 remarkably well, and makes a pleasing contrast with other Ferns of a lighter 

 or more finely -divided character. 



M. SOrbifolium — sor-bif-oF-i-um (Sorbus-leaved). This is a variety of 

 M. reticulatum. 



M. Thwaitesii— Thwaites'-i-i (Thwaites'), Hooker. 



A small species, native of Ceylon, producing from a firm, wide-creeping 

 rhizome (prostrate stem) fronds Sin. to lOin. long and 4in. to oin. broad, 

 borne on straw-coloured, nearly naked stalks Oin. to 12in. long. These 

 fronds are composed of a terminal leaflet divided half-way to the midrib 

 and several pairs of blunt, narrow-oblong, distinctly- stalked leaflets, the 

 lowest the largest (2in. to 3in. long, fin. broad), of a thin, papery texture, 

 with the edge bluntly lobed and the base suddenly narrowed. The sori 

 (spore masses) are disposed four or five in the lower leaflets, between the 

 midrib and the edge.— Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 391. Nicholson, 

 Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 352. 



M. triphyllum— triph-yF-lum (three-leaved), Sivartz. 



This small species, native of the Himalayas, South China, and the 

 Malaccas, produces from a firm, wide-creeping rhizome (prostrate stem) barren 

 and fertile fronds of difl'erent general aspect, the former being borne on 

 slender and slightly downy stalks 4in. to 6in. long, whereas the stalks of the 

 fertile ones are fully 1ft. in length. Seldom has either kind of frond more 

 than one pair of leaflets besides the terminal one, which is oblong- spear- 

 shaped, 4in. to 6in. long, lin. to l^in. broad, rounded or wedge-shaped 

 at the base, and with the edge somewhat undulated ; the lateral leaflets are 

 of the same shape, but of smaller dimensions. The fertile fronds are similar 



